WildCRU’s Trans-Kalahari Predator Programme (TKPP) is helping address human-wildlife conflict (HWC) around Hwange National Park – one of the last lion strongholds in Africa.
TKPP’s long-running research revealed that lions and hyaenas are the species most commonly responsible for livestock predation. Following a collaborative process to design and implement solutions, the Long Shields Lion Guardian Programme was launched in 2013. To date, over 50 villages have been involved, using a combination of lion monitoring, patrols, deterring detected predators, reacting to conflict incidents, recovering lost livestock and using mobile livestock communal enclosures. Livestock losses have halved as a result of the programme, and significantly fewer lions have been killed in retaliation.
This initiative was the focus of an IUCN SSC Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence Specialist Group case study in 2023 – showcasing the programme’s process of understanding, innovating and addressing HWC challenges and sharing invaluable lessons learnt along the way.
This is an excellent example of how research and community-based conservation combine to benefit wildlife and people.